August 2007 | Main | October 2007
A bit hypocritical?
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Definition of happiness
Some things can be taught, others must be experienced. The best teacher I had in high school, Rhoda Radow, gave me the task to define happiness. As a 16 year old without life experience, I could not complete the assignment, so I turned in a paper on what happiness is not. She forgave me for that, and for a later assignment that I completely botched.
38 years later, on this Day of Atonement — Yom Kippur, I think I can now finish the assignment.
Happiness: Only do what you have to do, and what you want to do. The definitions of “have to” and “want to” are an accurate gauge of your character.
Before doing something, ask yourself will it make you happier, wealthier or wiser? If not, why are you doing it (see #1)?
Recognize your strengths and play to them. Recognize your weaknesses and avoid them.
Acknowledge both upon request.
Respect friends and strangers alike unless they have proven themselves unworthy of it.
Tolerate others that do not share your views, lifestyle or beliefs as long as they do no harm to you or the ones you care about.
Treat people fairly, and give them the opportunity to do likewise. Even if they fail to do so, continue to treat them fairly. This is for your benefit, not theirs.
Be skeptical, but open-minded.
Do not be cynical — ever. It will never bring you happiness or true satisfaction.
Mrs. Radow, wherever you are, thank you.
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Cinderella Drive-in act inappropriate
I am the mother of 3 children ages 13,10,and 9. I wanted to tell you what happened last night (9-21-07) at the Cinderella Drive in, as I am Outraged! We went to the drive in and they had advertised the “Demented Divas” a hilarious family friendly comedy group would perform on the snack bar roof. This is a group of men outrageously dressed as women and it said we would “laugh ourselves breathless.” The idea was that Cinderella would be agitated about being evicted from the Drive in so that apartments can be built there. It also said we consider this OK for kids and there is only 1 part which might be considered PG-13 and they would announce that segment in advance. It began with the Divas holding signs and chanting their views. “Save Cinderella” “Down with land developers!” They were really like the “Pied Piper” as they marched around the grounds with the kids holding the signs and chanting along. It was fun and nice to express our views of sadness at losing the old time values and memories of past good times we had at the drive in. They announced the show would begin at 7:30- then said over the speaker they said “just 5 minutes till show time!” My kids as well as many others were seated around the roof top of the snack bar. As it began poor Cinderella read a eviction notice that the Drive In would be torn down to make room for apartments. She was looking for her Fairy Godmother for help but instead Mary Poppins emerged. She began signing and I thought I was hearing wrong. The song was “Just a spoonful of cannibus helps the medicine go down, in a most delightful way.” He made mock actions of smoking a joint and words in the song included weed, reefer, marijuana and joint. The next act was a fake Madonna singing “I like to be spanked” and sexually explicit actions ensued. Thirdly, Whitney Houston started a song and I saw a empty hard liquor bottle come out of her dress. I came to my senses after the immediate shock and disbelief and took my kids and left. I never heard a parental warning suggesting caution be used when exposing children to this. It could have been announced over the speakers easily. It was (to say the least) in poor taste and offensive! The Sheridan Police, watching as well, said they couldn’t do anything . When I sat down with the police the next day they agreed it was raunchy and in poor taste.
Does freedom of speech allow this? They endorsed and embraced the use of drugs, alcohol and sex to minors. Did the management team really think this was “OK” for kids? If people were not outraged ,they were not paying attention. Without a warning, they took away my rights as a citizen and parent to make my own decisions for my children. Now I am left to do damage control. Finally, the children in the car next to mine were yelling, “Don’t you know you shouldn’t cuss in front of children?” It is interesting that in these times it is the kids who speak up— it is the kids who have the good sense that the Drive In Management did not!
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The 208 commission
Dear Editor: The back pedaling by the 208 Commission on Health Care, recently supported by the editorial staff of the Denver dailies is suspicious in that it came only days after Hillary Clinton announced her plan to reform health care. Within hours the blue ribbon commission chair pleaded for more time and a bigger budget, followed by a reduction in expectations about what is being accomplished. Now there is the suggestion that whatever the State of Colorado does will be eclipsed by the federal government anyway.
Could it be that the upcoming Democratic Convention is making the partisans uneasy?
Health care is a local market and an issue within the purvue of state’s rights and responsibilities. Federal laws including Medicare, Medicaid and ERISA were all empowering legislation and gave the states financial subsidies and enough discretion over eligibility for entitlements and the regulation of group health insurance to solve the problem of the uninsured. To now suggest that we cannot deal with this problem until the federal government acts is a cop-out. The Commissioners took on the job and knew upfront what they were getting into. They set the agenda and were in control of their own process. There are enough PhD and Masters degrees on the Commission to start a university.
I would suggest Bill Lindsey either admit his insurance broker credentials inadequately prepared him to lead the Commission and he turn command over or that he suck it up and get the job done. This is no time to make a hasty retreat. And, regards the newspapers, either have your cub reporters just report the events or get someone with real expertise to comment on the proceedings. It has been thin gruel for breakfast so far.
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An admission of being from Boulder
Grant D. Cyrus
Damn, snap, pop all of a sudden I was from BOULDER, but what did that/does that even mean? I panicked and I researched.
Hmmm, super sunny Boulder an intelligent town of 90,000 situated in an Arapaho Indian valley in the foothills of the brilliant Rocky Mountains and the third most highly educated county in the country with some of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. From the laymen to the scientists, researchers, medical and other professionals I’ve been consistently impressed. And all of this within an essentially Center Leftist political framework.
Ok Ma Barker I guess I’ll take it and just try to suffer through.
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War in Iraq
B
That politicians can assemble so quickly to pass an amendment condemning an Ad(!), yet fail miserably to come together on an exit strategy for Iraq is appalling and offensive.In response to the failed efforts of democrats and republicans to come to any compromise or agreement regarding the increasingly tragic situation in Iraq and how to move forward,a jubilant and gloating senator MCcain taunted anti-war protestors with the chant of “we beat you,we beat you..” at a recent speaking engagement.
I am currently wracking my brain trying to imagine what it was he meant by that infantile refrain: who did “we” beat,what did “we” win?
For all the fuss and false outrage over an Ad that the GOp claimed was a slam against our military,they simultaneously denied the passage of a democrat proposed bill that would have insured our troops adequate leave with their families before redeployment.They voted against supporting our troops in favor of using them for political purposes.Talk about “disgusting"...
Things remain the same going into the 5th year of Bush’s Iraq war,people are attacked for their dissenting opinions about it and for daring to express them,politicians unite to denounce the exercise of free speech,and can even go so far as to produce and pass ,solely empty symbolic amendments in the hopes of intimidating the voice of the people,yet do nothing to truly represent them,ultimately support and protect our troops , this nation’s security nor the innocent Iraqui civillians Bush pledged to liberate.
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Democrat campaign finance scandals
In view of the recent Democrat campaign-finance scandals, the focus appears to be on New York businessman, Norman Hsu, and his railroad excursion to Colorado. Yet, we hear little, if anything, regarding an FBI investigation of the Democrat contributions. If it is true that campaign finance laws were broken, the American people have a right to know about it. Political candidates are not inviolable and should be held fully accountable for financial wrongdoing, especially when such candidates are running for President of the United States. We hope the Congress will demand such a probe.
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Two different forums in Greeley
Sylvia Martinez and Don Coloroso both
On Tuesday evening we had two very different public forums occurring in Greeley. One sponsored by Ken Buck on the impact of crimes committed by undocumented people on citizens in Greeley and Weld County. The other forum sponsored by Realizing Our Community, an initiative funded by the Colorado Trust involving the City and some 27 other profit and for non-profit organizations.
Some 600-700 people attended the forums. Where do we go from here? What practical solutions came from Mr. Buck presenting his inflammatory information? What additional information needs to be presented before all our community begin to work together to heal the past and current riffs among people of multicultural backgrounds.
The fact remains, we are all related. There probably doesn’t exist a recorded true lineage of any group of people. It doesn’t matter where we come from, as human beings we have a responsibility for one another. That includes protecting the most vulnerable from harm. A small percentage of people violate this ethic and perform crimes against innocent persons. We grieve for the pain these circumstances leave for the victims and their families as a result of these human indiscretions.
It was pointed out at Mr. Buck’s forum that approximately 10-11% of the crimes committed and reflected in our county jail system are committed by undocumented persons. We have to ask the question, what about the 90 percent of documented/legal citizens who perform the majority of these crimes? What forums can we have to show the pain incurred by victims of these crimes and what ‘Office’ will be sought to help assuage this problem?
Immigration is a national concern and we need fair, realistic federal reform to address this issue.
Meanwhile what can we do as a community?
Realizing Our Community is looking for ways to live, play, and work in a healthy community - one that grows and fosters improved relationships with all, not isolates an individual group and targets that group without the resources to deal with specific issues raised by that small population. Seven hundred people showing up is a good thing, however our community is much larger than that. We would encourage Mr. Buck to join ROC and look for positive solutions to community harmony and safety for all, regardless of race , color, greed, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
We commend both groups for attending either forum. As a community we need more ROC forums and ask all citizens to not be bystanders to building a better community in which we could all gain. Get involved with Realizing Our Community and help build a compassionate, creative, harmonious, and thriving community that far surpasses what we have.
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Smoking ban a good thing
Hi, Recently we received the Gilpin newsletter/coupons, and there was an article from “Big T” who mentioned how many had stopped him and said they were never coming back after the smoking ban takes effect. I did not know how to contact him, but wanted him to know for every one of these militant smokers who wish to infect others lungs with their addiction, there are many, many more (we are the majority) who will visit more often and make up for the loss of these. The reality is they will be back, after their initial backlash, and we ALL will be healthier for it. Frankly, I was disappointed that the Lodge was making a smoking area. I hope it is a “box” and the smoke can’t get out of it.
We live a considerable distance from Blackhawk and enjoy the Lodge when we come, but will enjoy it much more, now and visit much more often, because, frankly, there have been a few times we wanted to visit and decided it would not be worth it because of how we feel after breathing all that secondhand smoke. Now, we can look forward (after January 1) to visiting.
Please don’t be put off by the smokers. They are a dying breed, literally. I am a former smoker who quit with great difficulty. I am not insensitive to the fact they are addicted. I am very offended they would infect other people so freely. If they were considerate, they would not have been smoking indoors around non-smokers and there would have been no need for legislation. Unfortunately, sometimes public safety much be legislated.
Also, I know that most of the good people working in the casinos in Colorado will be happier and healthier after the ban.
We can’t wait til the smoking ban takes effect. Thanks for listening.
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Horrified by Greeley forum
I am horrified by the antics of Weld County District Attorney, Ken Buck, doing what he can to stir up reservoirs of racial prejudice so as to solidify his position as the law-and-order guy who will attract an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office to Greeley. And I’m ashamed that the DA’s blatant hate-mongering has not fallen on deaf ears, as manifest by the 500 citizens who chose to attend the September 19 meeting, called by the North Colorado Conservative Alliance (NCCA), where Mr. Buck held forth about the illegal immigrant crime menace in our community.
Bill Johnson in his “Rocky Talk” column, published on Saturday September 22, deftly skewers Mr. Buck for a total lack of data to back up his contention that illegal immigrants contribute enough to the overall crime picture to merit singling out. In that commentary Johnson describes the audience at the NCCA meeting as “\[a\] throng of mostly cowboy-hat-and-big-buckle-wearing Americans.”
Here’s where the average liberal writer would reply, “We’re not all cowboys in Weld County,” or “Not all cowboys are like that,” or “Some of my best friends are cowboys,” all true. Instead, I’d like to point out that, in his caricature of my fellow citizens, Johnson calls on a host of prejudicial mental pictures of western-style rednecks. Tarring anybody with such an unflattering stereotype is wrong, including white rural folks.
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Hats off to Sen. John Warner and the Republicans for blocking the troop measure sponsored by Democrat sponsor, James Webb! The Webb proposal was nothing less than a crafty attempt for antiwar lawmakers to castigate the Bush administration’s Iraq policy.
According to the Wall Street Journal, “the bill would micromanage the military and potentially force a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.” Now we hope that the President will square off with the Democrats to authorize the war-funding bill and update antiquated FISA statutes. The war in Iraq is really all about preserving our own national security, call it what you will.
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Immigration meeting in Greeley
Re: Hundreds pack Greeley gathering on illegal immigration and crime.
Weld County DA Ken Buck held his anti-immigrant event as “informational", although its entire focus came from statistically questionable conclusions. The public was misled twice over. First off, study after study shows that immigrants are significantly less likely than the native born to commit crimes. Even Buck himself had to admit that the undocumented compose a vast minority of those committing crimes in Weld County. Nevertheless, a few highly painful, but also numerically rare, testimonies from victims served to place blame where it is not warranted- on immigrants. Second, in his “informational”
This forum should be applauded for its efforts to combat the fear and hate that Buck’s events espoused by focusing on welcoming immigrants, doing away with damaging stereotypes and strengthening neighborly relationships.
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DPS and teachers union
Why does the Denver Public Schools and the Union always wait until school starts to negotiate union contracts. Is it for leverage?
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Columbine memorial
Brian Rohrbough has seized upon this tragedy to prozelytize rather than to commemorate. His words condemning abortion and a “Godless school system” for taking his son’s life are highly inappropriate and were rightly questioned by the committee planning the memorial.
The inscription opens with a half-real, helf-imagined question: “Why?”
I have an answer to that question: Columbine happened because people like Rohrbough tried to ram religion, school prayer and Bible reading at study halls down the throats of the public school system.
It was no mistake that the killers, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, made that group its first target. The school had been involved in a religious lawsuit prior to this event—-one that resulted in pupils praying and reading Bibles during their free time, prior to school and in study halls.
It was also no mistake that the library was destroyed in an attempt to remove the major scene of the crime——as if this could remove the real reasons for this massacre.
High school students mouthing the words of their over-zealous “Christian” parents, particularly those condemning homosexuality, have no place in an environment where there might be students questioning their own sexuality. It was no secret that the killers were the targets of many of these taunts. It was a fact that was played down repeatedly after the incident.
I find the whole Rohrbough inscription terribly patronizing and an insult to the whole idea of this memorial.
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Bush administration & health care for children
I rarely, if ever, watch TV anymore but I was able to catch Bush’s press conference regarding the bill expanding SCHIP and his plan to veto. Bush argued that the proposed legislation would help middle income families who currently are paying private insurance companies. I understand his desire to protect the private insurance companies who funded his campaigns. However, my family represents a middle income family. After this year my husband’s company is dropping all their private insurance carriers because costs have gotten completely out of control.
I am so discouraged by the President’s leadership. I do not understand a man who will say NO to our own children. The republican administration has become an absolute disgrace. I don’t care how you spin it, Bush and his followers have compromised the well-being of America’s children and are the cause of suffering among our little ones because they simply don’t have access to a doctor, affordable medicine, and emergency care. I am not merely writing this because our president has gone too far again.
I am writing because I have not gone far enough. We must renew our commitment to the betterment of this country and all of it’s children. I will work tirelessly so that my beloved nation never again sees the likes of leadership like this - leadership that turns it’s back on it’s own children.
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Rezoning in Lakewood
I was invited to attend a neighborhood meeting concerning a rezoning for one of our neighbors in Lakewood, and wanted to say that I am alarmed at what I witnessed as the nature of our City management in this city.
Many adjacent homeowners attended the meeting to support a fellow neighbor, who has been asking Lakewood to downzone his property to R1A farmland. He owns a 2-acre lot with an old historic farm house. The City proceeded to conduct the review for his downzoning to R1A in March.
During the last few months, City planners told him arbitrarily that now he could no longer rezone to R1A. That he would have to instead rezone to PD (Planned Development). In fact, they said, if he chose to try to downzone to R1A, they would stop him by refusing to make a recommendation, despite all of his neighbors being 100% in favor of the farmland zoning. Neighbors asked why both the property owner and the neighborhood couldn’t simply get the zoning they requested. The planners had no answer except to say that “City Hall” has some “long term plan”
The lack of representation, ethics, and honesty is a mini-reflection of the dictatorial nature of our government today, and a perfect example of why I am running for Mayor of Lakewood this year. Lakewood citizens deserve better.
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Adams County dump
Cindy Bulinski
Last Thursday I got a call from a concerned neighbor who had just learned that Adams County Commissioners had approved a permit change that would allow for a household garbage dump at 80th and Schumaker. By Saturday there were already earthmovers kicking up loads of dust onto neighboring properties. At our earliest opportunity – this past Wednesday – we attended an Adams County Commissioners meeting to ask them how they could have approved such a monster without holding any public hearings, or at least visiting with the property owners with adjacent land. The commissioners explained to us that there had been a permit in place since 1993 for a “fly ash” dump (apparently the residue from coal fire processing for power plants). Of course – there is no mechanism in place to let new buyers and builders in the area KNOW of the existence of a 14 year old permit that has never been acted upon. Apparently this permit never expires, nor does the validation of impact studies done 14 years ago. But those are other matters of policy change that need to be addressed at a later date. At any rate, apparently in 2005, an application was made to change the permit to allow household waste, and related garbage. The commissioners made what they deem a “minor” - “administrative” decision – without taking any public input to allow that change. At the meeting on Wednesday, commissioner Alice Nichol was the acting chairperson. In answer to our question of why we were not consulted, Alice stated repeatedly that the commissioners had acted “within the letter of the law”, that they had done all that they were “required” to do. While those statements are up for debate given the preliminary legal work that some of our neighbors have done, I wonder this. While they MAY have done the minimum that they were REQUIRED to do…did they do the BEST that they could have done, for our community, for the PEOPLE who ELECTED them? Would it have been outside of the letter of the law for them to take a drive out to this area, and see for themselves how many homes and people would be affected by this change? Would it have been outside the letter of the law for them to hold public hearings and ASK for public input? I sent an email to the commissioners on Thursday asking those questions, as of noon Friday, I have not heard back – if anyone else can find those answers, I think the community might be interested in the answers.
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Hiring security personnel rather than soldiers
The recent Blackwater incident highlights yet another disturbing aspect of the Iraq war. Most Americans have never heard of Blackwater; and those who have, give it little thought. Blackwater is one of several corporations which provide security personnel, AKA mercenaries, for the US government. Such personnel sign contracts to work for these companies and are paid handsome sums which significantly exceed the annual pay for our fighting men and women.
While American tax payers foot the bill for both, the mercenaries’ come with significant corporate profit margins.
Why hire mercenaries? The administration would tell you it is cost effective. In other words, the military which we train to fight and provide security can’t do the job as cheaply. Outsourcing security work saves tax payers money. Just think about that. According to this logic, if you have all the skill sets needed to build your own house, it would be cheaper for you to hire someone than to build it yourself. Balderdash!! Rather than being cost effective, it is politically effective to hire mercenaries. The administration and the Congress don’t have to institute a draft and face the public’s wrath. It’s a win/win for the government and corporations. No political heat and a gravy train for corporations. The hiring of these mercenary security companies represents the epitome of President Eisenhower’s farewell speech warning about the dangers of the military-industrial complex.
It’s unfortunate the media has not made it a priority to expose this mercenary industry. The pay scales for these mercenaries are significant multiples higher than our regular military’s pay scales. How much is this costing tax payers? How many mercenaries work for the Pentagon and other Federal departments around the world? How many are actually in Iraq and Afghanistan? Are these mercenaries subject to the same rules of engagement and the same justice system as our regular military? In a word: no. Americans need to learn these facts.
During WWII the war industry’s profits were capped. Unlike this war, everyone was called on to sacrifice to protect our freedoms. Certainly mercenaries, many of whom acquired their skills at American tax payers’ expense, should receive no more than our military would receive for doing the same job. It would be the patriotic thing to do.
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Renewable sources of energy
In response to “Guv urges renewable sources rule,” from September 21 and the ongoing debate over the viability of renewable sources of energy: While the United States has been discussing the potential merits of alternative energy projects, Scotland has been able to set and exceed benchmarks for implementation, providing a solid example of what can reasonably be expected if a nation—or a state—puts its resources toward these goals. Our government has set ambitious targets – 20 percent by 2010 and 40% by 2020 – and we are well on track to meet them. Already, Scotland derives 13 percent of its power from renewable sources.
Like the American West, including Colorado, Scotland is blessed with abundant natural resources. We are home to 25 percent of Europe’s wind energy, and 25 percent of Europe’s potential tidal output. Additionally, we have made strides to develop a world-leading International Energy Academy in efforts to nurture the evolving renewable energy market.
Although Scotland has a smaller base from which to develop its renewable energy sector than the United States, we have nevertheless built a world-class presence within the alternative energy industry from all angles—solar, wind, tidal, biomass, geothermal and hydrogen fuel cells. We look forward to sharing our experience with the United States and to working together for a more sustainable future. Most of all, we look forward to a day when the question being debated is not whether to invest in alternative energy, but how.
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RTD & diesel commuter vehicles
The concerns of those persons who object to RTD’s planned use of diesel commuter vehicles are misplaced. Diesel Multiple Unit vehicles manufactured by Colorado Railcar at its Fort Lupton plant not only exceed the performance of locomotive-hauled commuter trains but also perform well against electric-only trains.
I am not employed by or own stock in Colorado Railcar. As a railfan I happened across the demonstration vehicle at Denver Union Station Thursday and dropped by. The 1,200-horsepower DMU burns about one gallon of fuel per mile but haul up to 188 passengers at speeds up to 79-mph. It can pull a 218-seat coach with a slight reduction in mileage. This means a better-than 300-passenger miles per gallon, a very significant figure, environmentally. The Detroit Diesel power plant is proven technology.
I am not going to recite the Colorado Railcar pamphlet chapter and verse. However what I did write shows that the car can perform with the electrics without the heavy expense of overhead wiring and without extensive realigning of the BNSF’s Front Range Subdivision on which they will operate.
Yes they will pollute but electric cars also pollute. Electricity is generated at local coal and gas-fired power plants.
The advantages of these units reweigh the expense of straight-electric equipment.
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Editorial abashes, outrages CSU alum
As a graduate of Colorado State University, I am embarrassed and outraged with my alma mater’s newspaper, the Collegian, in choosing the bold headline, “Taser This ... F--- BUSH,” for their editorial.
Now liberals, like radio talk-show host Jay Marvin, are trying to control the damage by spinning the incident into a free-speech issue.
The backlash this student newspaper is drawing over its headline has to do with professionalism and decency. Nothing more. If the Rocky Mountain News or The Denver Post had spelled out the F-word in the same way, the editor responsible would have been fired immediately, as should J. David McSwane of the Collegian.
And what does George Bush have to do with the Tasering incident at a John Kerry event anyway? Apparently, every controversy reported in the news seems to tie in with the president, according to lefties like McSwane and Marvin.
I suppose if roosters stopped crowing every morning, then he would be blamed for that too!
Rich Colwell, Parker
Posted by denver-admin at 12:01 AM | Comments (93) | TrackBackPost, Rocky deteriorating
The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News just get worse and worse and seem to get smaller each day as well.
Since I enjoy the comics on Sunday every week, I have to look through all of the Post’s advertisements, none of which I ever read, in order to find the one with the small notation, “Look inside for today’s full-color comics.” If Denver Newspaper Agency executives think this gets me to look at the advertisement on that insert, they are sadly mistaken.
It is also annoying that I must peel the ridiculous sticker ads off the front page of the Rocky every day. And I’ve never seen any photograph by Rocky photographer Barry Gutierrez that he didn’t shoot from the feet up. His attempts to be “creative” are really just stupid.
Wayne R. Hardy, Englewood
Short shrift to toddler
When I opened the Rocky Mountain News on Sept. 25, I was expecting the front page to be dedicated solely to Neveah Gallegos (“Body found in search for girl,” same day), but instead just undeserving old news could be seen (re: Christine Johnson).
If Neveah had been a murdered 3-year-old Caucasian, she would have most likely made the major portion of the cover, but instead she was allotted just a small picture and a sentence at the minuscule top portion.
Many had been hoping and praying for her return, and had volunteered in the search for her. I am extremely disappointed and disgusted with the Rocky’s choice and believe that it owes Neveah and any surviving family members an apology.
Jackii Davis, Centennial
Posted by denver-admin at 12:01 AM | Comments (9) | TrackBackStein tipped the balance
When I first moved here, I took (read) both Denver papers. The Rocky Mountain News won — for cartoonist Ed Stein and the other great (and frequent) political cartoonists.
Columnists Bill Johnson and Mike Littwin were icing on the cake.
No editor is perfect; and I don’t always agree with every word, but Stein deserves twice what he’s paid.
Sue Saunders, Denver
Posted by denver-admin at 12:01 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBackComic outrageous
In the Sept. 24 edition of the Rocky Mountain News, the comic strip Cornered was outrageous. Any mention of crystal meth as a way to make money is unacceptable and just plain wrong! And to indicate that making meth is a way to fund medical or scientific research is awful.
Please watch the content of the funny pages more carefully. This is simply not funny or appropriate for a publicly circulated newspaper.
Donell Minnis, Aurora
Posted by denver-admin at 12:01 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBackMagnificent photo
The photograph on the cover of the Sept. 18 editions of the Rocky Mountain News was a magnificent view of Gray’s and Torrey’s peaks (http://cfapp2.rockymountainnews.com/frontpage/index.cfm). It is a keeper.
Thank you, Rocky.
Susan Collins, Boulder
Posted by denver-admin at 12:01 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBackDennis Reuss wrote that “Democrats and most of the American people are tired of fighting a just war.” He says we should be “staying in Iraq until everything was finished.” I wonder what is just about our invasion of Iraq which has resulted in our killing of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, destroying their infrastructure, creating millions of refugees, and our creating the circumstances for an all out civil war between various Islamic tribes and factions in Iraq? Further, I wonder what finishing up will look like? We’ve already bombed that country so much that their economy is a shambles, unemployment is running at 60% or more, and most educated Iraqis have left the country. There is no “winning” or good strategy now for US troops leaving Iraq. The horrible mistake was going there in the first place. Total American casualties are now over 60,000 people.
This war currently costs us 2 billion dollars a week. We are bankrupting our country and burdening our children with crushing deficits.
Our President lied us into this war. Honest Americans insist that we get out—now!
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The search for Steve Fossett
The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News are filled with the disappearance and search for Steve Fossett. The search has cost the United States thousands and increasing each day. Fossett was reportedly looking for dry lake beds where he could try for the land speed record - this was again for his own personal glory. So much of Steve Fossett’s adventure are just self serving and will cost the government so much in search expenses.
Steve Fossett’s disappearance and search reminds me so much of Amelia Earhart and her “Search For Modern Feminisim” when she disappeared in the late thirties in the Pacific. The search for Amelia involved the Air Force and Navy searching the vast Pacific without success. The search efforts for Amelia is estimated to have cost untold millions. Again, this adventure was for glory for her and the feminists of her time.
Why do we go spend the efforts of many and the high costs to find those that are only seeking glory and adventure for themselves. Lets require these people to sign a disclaimer for any searches should they disappear, I’m sure that they would be glad to do so.
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PERA
I’m responding to the Sunday, September 16, 2007 article in SPEAKOUT by Senators Fitz-Gerald, Gordon, McElhany and Penry.
Our state legislators are abusing their authority with repeated attempts at manipulating the investment of Colorado PERA’s defined benefit pension funds for an increasing list of divestment “imperatives.” It is the PERA members and retirees who OWN these funds, not the taxpayers at large and not the General Assembly. Our mandated contributions and those of our employers are made subject to contractual agreements and are in lieu of contributions to social security. Nowhere is it stated that legislators may usurp the purpose for which our retirement funds are invested to promote their own or other’s version of our nation’s foreign policy, their own ideology or to repay their own benefactors.
Two years ago PERA’s defined benefit plan was considered so fragile the then State Treasurer felt it imperative to propose benefit changes. Four months ago the State’s General Assembly forced divestment from companies doing business with Sudan at an estimated cost to the same defined benefit fund of up to $3,000,000. Rep.Victor Mitchell considered it imperative that PERA’s defined benefit members pay all costs of divestment out of their funds, thus bearing the total financial burden for a social statement supposedly made for all Coloradoans.
Now we have yet another “imperative” proposal known to be vigorously promoted by foreign nationals and powerful lobbies to divest from Iran. And yes, it’ll cost us.
Legislative oversight is not a mandate to pillage and plunder pension funds for ANY purpose. Remember, while members of PERA’s defined benefit plans are paying for a proliferation of divestment proposals now, ALL Colorado taxpayers will end up paying for the legislated decimation of PERA’s trust fund in the future.
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Fastracks
I have to agree with Brian Warreing that we will never ride this machine, however, the yuppies will. And our property taxes will go up WHY?
Let the people who ride this Fastrack pay for it not the old people & people that are retired.
One last thing has RTD given any thought to those people who are Handicapable? What if they don’t work in the areas provided with Fastrack?
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Storm drainage problem
SHAME ON THE DENVER, CO CITY GOVERNMENT!
I write this as an other-than-Denver citizen. I am from Des Moines, IA.
Our newspaper, the Des Moines Register, has a column called “Roses and Thistles,” in which comments are made about various news items. I am not naïve enough to ever think that this will get into print in your paper, nor do I believe that any member of your city government will see it. Perhaps if they do they will simply disregard it. I write it, admittedly, to treat myself. But it involves your citizenry, and I offer it in the name of constructive concern.
My concern is the storm sewer drainage situation in the 1300 East 17th Avenue area. There have been repeated occasions when large volume rainfall has resulted in flooding of this busy traffic area. If you will check your archives you will find photos. I have witnessed one of those occasions. Vehicles came from the west at speeds high enough to render them at least partially uncontrollable when they entered the “pond.” My daughter owned property which was damaged due to this flooding on two occasions. As a result she was forced to borrow in excess of $30,000 to cover damages and renovation plus additional monies for personal property loss. Her home was on the market for over a year and finally sold for $50,000 below assessed value due to no fault of her own. This is simply unjust. If the city is convinced that there is no other answer to this situation, perhaps this area should be a designated flood plain.
Attempts to communicate with the city council and higher officials resulted in their taking no action. There IS a problem, and it can’t be denied. This may well happen again. Perhaps it will take someone losing control of a vehicle to correct the inadequate storm sewer drainage in the area to result in action. I certainly hope that doesn’t happen.
Meanwhile some of the folks who live or have businesses in that area will continue to see their properties devalued—not because they are less valuable, but because the city officials are making a statement of irresponsibility. I doubt, however, that this will cause them to lower their property assessments and taxes.
So, in the words of my local paper, “a thistle to the Denver, Colorado city governance.”
Thank you for your time in reading this.
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Paul Campos & affirmative action
Professor Campos, I read your recent article about affirmative action and felt compelled to respond. As a Notre Dame graduate, I find it quite unfortunate that you would print an accusation by the unidentified “JJ” implying a level of racism at Notre Dame. As a law professor, I would guess you understand the value of research and logic. In order for Willingham to be fired, he had to first be hired. I doubt a racist institution would hire a black coach in the first place. In addition, Notre Dame is currently the only Div 1 program where both coordinators are black.
Again, seems like an odd thing for a racist institution to allow.
Lastly, Notre Dame has one of the highest, if not the highest, graduation rates for black athletes each year. This can be easily researched. A University of Florida Professor performs this study each year. Again, an odd fact for an institution with implied institutionalized racism.
You can argue whether Weis was deserving of his contract extension. I certainly do. However, it is a tough sell to proclaim that his past experience was mediocre. You say, “He was a risky hire to start with, a guy with a mediocre track record as a coordinator and no experience whatsoever with either being the head of an organization or with college football at all.” A 30 second fact check might have saved you from severely misspeaking. Weis’ track record as an Offensive coordinator includes 3 Super Bowl Rings....in 5 years I might add. If that is mediocre, then I think we have a difference of opinion on what constitutes mediocre. Also, he was an assistant in college football (South Carolina) before accepting a position with the NY Giants. You are correct in that he has not been the head of an organization...unless you disregard his leadership of an altruistic organization to assist kids with developmental disorders...like his daughter. “Hannah and Friends” I believe it is called.
Regarding Norv Turner....I couldn’t agree more. I am not sure why he continues to be hired by NFL franchises.
Time will tell with Charlie Weis.
Instead or crusading against an institution like Notre Dame, maybe you should attend to issues in your own backyard. How is the black graduation rate for your employer, the University of Colorado? Was a black head coach pursued after the Barnett or Neuhisal (Spelling) fiascos? Was the hiring of Jeff Bzdelick a racial reaction to the poor performance of Ricardo Patten? Those are clearly more worthy causes then taking pot shots at a fine institution.
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The Jena 6
We already acquitted O.J. once - will they not be satisfied until black criminals are given full immunity from the law?
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MoveOn.org’s ad
WHICH MOVEON MISTAKE?
MoveOn did make a very bad mistake in focusing negatively on General Petraeus. Colin Powell, a much-decorated general, re-established all too well the concept of obeying your Commander-in-Chief, in spite of that commander’s supreme mendacity, though Powell now has indicated remorse for that. It is extremely difficult for any military leader to place the U.S. Constitution and the well-being of the world above orders from above. Those are distant abstracts; military chain-of-command is not.
MoveOn made the same mistake Democrats are making, playing into Bush’s hands. Bush and Cheney are so glad that we lose focus on this. The president and Dick Cheney and their policy of pushing the fatal obsolesence of war, of “shock and awe,” bomb and kill, should be the issue. Until sanity prevails. And the concept of “progress” should have been laughed off the stage as rationale for “the surge.” We never lost a major battle in Vietnam. Khe Sanh was a stand-off and even the infamous Tet Offensive was a “victory” for us - we killed so many more of them than they killed of us or ARVN forces. In Vietnam, “progress” was our most important product, right up to the end.
Never has America, this sadly floundering republic, needed clarity so desperately. We are drowning in our excremental propaganda, and in this instance, MoveOn did not help.
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Lee Greenwood cancelling concert
I want to address those who are questioning Mr.
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Roan Plateau
1570 Oil and Gas Wells are not worth the Roan Plateau Dear Editor, Rep. Diana DeGette’s proposed wilderness protection bill is not only exciting, it is tremendously urgent. In the broad strokes gas interests in Colorado have their eye on the Roan Plateau, near Grand Junction, intending to drill there until the cows come home (drill new 1570 wells). This area of wild land is part of Colorado’s natural heritage and one of the reasons I am proud to be a resident. Speaking on behalf of the hunting and fishing community, the Roan Plateau is renowned for big game hunting and fly fishing. Colorado elected leaders, are you ready for an outcry from hunters and fishermen? If so, oppose this bill. Remember, there are 700,000 of us in the state. Specifficly, the DeGette bill would add 1.6 million acres of land designated as Wilderness to our current 3.4 million. Beyond that, rampant oil and gas development encourages the production of finite resources at the cost of destroying pristine habitat for good and all. With the growing population of the state, we need balanced energy development with wind and solar as the primary sources. With the 5th highest solar potential and the 11th highest wind potential in the country, not only do we have yet another reason to be proud to be residents, we have other options than to butcher our wild lands for the sake of BTUs and Kilo Watts. Colorado, support the DeGette bill.
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Sacrifices never put in perspective
Following Gen. David Petraeus’ evisceration by the shameless members of the Senate, it would be instructive to reflect upon what we don’t have in Iraq following our invasion.
1. We no longer have (as reported by the U.N. Human Rights Commission) a supposed 5,000 children per month starving to death as a result of our embargo on Iraq following the Gulf War.
2. We no longer have Saddam Hussein paying $25,000 to Palestinian families to encourage and reward suicide bombers in Israel.
3. We no longer have three psychopaths — Saddam, Uday, Qusay — whose level of evil was unquenchable, responsible for the deaths of approximately 300,000 to 1 million people under their rule with the likelihood of many more to follow.
4. We no longer have the Oil for Food scandal, the largest single financial scandal in world history ($21 billion) with all of our “traditional allies” dipping from the pot. So it was no wonder they were less than supportive of our going into Iraq.
Nightly, the news blares the price our nation is paying in blood, treasure and tears with a glee that is at times barely contained. But the other side of the equation is never mentioned, our sacrifices never put in perspective.
Patrick R. Ritchen, Brighton
Posted by denver-admin at 12:01 AM | Comments (41) | TrackBackJust leave equipment in Iraq or sell it and get out
One other excuse offered for not beginning a troop withdrawal from Iraq is that there is so much military and support inventory it would take perhaps 18 months to return it to the United States.
Why bring it back? Some 80 percent to 90 percent of what’s there is out-of-date. After World War II, a thousand tons of military equipment was dumped in the Pacific. Flyable aircraft wound up in Arizona deserts to rust. Only aircraft got out of Vietnam — also to the Arizona desert.
Why not put the military and support equipment now in Iraq — except for special designation — up for sale? There could be interest from Turkey down the coastline to Egypt. Why not Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, perhaps even the Kurds.
Absolutely everything should not go to waste.
Hollis Bach, Castle Rock
Posted by denver-admin at 12:01 AM | Comments (30) | TrackBackA DIFFERING VIEW: Automatic deductions aren’t a universal policy
The Rocky’s Sept. 20 editorial “New tactics on dues,” about the AskFirst campaign started by the Independence Institute, stated: “Attempts to end the automatic deduction of union dues from paychecks without the prior consent of individual employees have generally gone nowhere.”
That does not reflect the membership policies of the Englewood Firefighters Association. Membership is purely voluntary and dues are deducted only after the individual signs a written authorization allowing the dues to be deducted. Nonmembers pay no dues whatsoever.
Dues deductions are stopped at any time the individual decides that he or she no longer wishes to be a member of the association. The dues that are deducted are deposited into an association account at the Englewood Municipal Federal Credit Union in a single transaction.
The editorial also suggested that it would not be burdensome to expect unionized workers to “get their banks to deduct dues from their payroll checks.” That would require 42 separate deposit transactions by the Englewood Municipal Federal Credit Union every two weeks. This is an unreasonable and costly expectation for our municipal credit union.
The simple fact of the matter is that the current system has worked well in excess of 35 years and a change to the current process is unwarranted and ill-advised. One has to wonder if the true issue is not how dues are deducted but the fact that certain individuals take exception to collective bargaining and organized labor.
Bill Young is a member of the Englewood Firefighters Association.
What do you think? Go to RockyMountain
News.com/opinion to join the conversation about this issue.
The Senate will vote today to condemn Moveon.org’s ad calling General David H. Petraeus General Betray Us.
I believe this Senate will pass S.AMDT.2808 condeming “personal attacks on the honor and integrity of General Petraeus” Is this the America that our forefathers created? An America where it is not OK to speak out, where putting on a military uniform automatically shields you from criticism? Or is the America Mr. Bush and the Neo-cons have dreamed about.
Even on the face of a new CBS polled that showed 68% of Americans want the troop levels decreased or pulled out completely this Senate has done nothing to help our troops, to bring the troops home or to stand up to Mr. Bush. But now they have the nerve to condemn an organization because Moveon.org had the nerve to stand up to Mr. Bush and the neo-cons.
Please remember General Petraeus was hand picked by Mr. Bush, and the general’s report to Congress was written by the White House. Remember the last general to deliver a white house written report? General Colin Powell, how much credibility does he have now?
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Grocery stores selling liquor
I personally don’t care if Colorado laws are changed to allow grocery stores to sell hard liquor or wine as is being proposed. I don’t see a difference between Groceries ( which currently sell alcohol products such as what we’ve come to know as “3.2 beer” and cigerettes ) selling wine or even hard liquor as those products can’t be sold to minors either and the Grocery stores have chosen to handle these as they see fit and in compliance with the law.
I did however find Wednesday’s speakout column by Ellen Robinson, co owner of Denver’s Argonaut liquors, to be fraught with self interest, while posturing as a concerned corporate citizen and to be nothing more than a transparent and silly plea for protection against market competition.
Most fear mongering is a ploy to conceal predictable hidden agendas, in this case protecting a closed market for liquor stores which hold an exclusive right to sell certain lawful products.
Robinson quoted (and spoke for) all the usual fear groups: Parents, church groups, Police chiefs, other law enforcement, local governments, small businesses and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (which opposes everything) et. all, as reason for all of us to continue living in the Nanny State which has become of Colorado.
I think anyone could figure out what Robinson’s real concern is, a common sentiment, the fear for the well being of one’s own wallet.
I’d have more respect for Robinson if she just came out and said her industry doesn’t want the competition and leave irrelevant issues such as the welfare of kids, mom, the flag and apple pie out of it.
And then I’d still say no. No one is entitled to a corner on any market. Sorry Ellen, nice try.
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Endorsement for Jane Fancher-Westminster City Council
Subject: FANCHER FOR WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL Do you want your voice to be heard by our Westminster City Council? Then vote for Jane Fancher. Our present City Council says “we are all ears” and for that reason Jane would be a perfect fit because she WILL listen to and SUPPORT our citizens. Jane vouches to be your voice on City Council.
I have only known Jane for about two years. In the short time I’ve learned what an honest, wise, logical, trustworthy and ethical person she is. I’ve observed that Jane has the ability to look beyond the BIG PICTURE before making any decisions. If there is any doubt she’ll ask for clarification and she brings up some very good ideas and questions for thought.
Jane has a degree in Business Administration with a strong background in finance. She is a retired accountant having worked for the Federal government for many years and she will assure you that your tax dollars will be spent wisely and she will keep everyone honest. In addition, Jane has been in management positions within many volunteer organizations. Jane has lived in Westminster for 25 years and wants to continue to keep Westminster as a great place to live.
I highly endorse Jane to represent us by nominating her for Westminster City Council. No matter where your heart lies, your vote DOES count, so please take a moment to vote in the upcoming election. Better yet, vote for JANE FANCHER.
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Hillary Clinton’s health care plan
President Clinton was in Colorado talking up his wife’s health care plan. They are offering a plan like what the congress gets. If this is such a great deal and a money saver, why have they not done this for the military first? Well as all things in DC, they feel that it would cost to much to give a plan like this to the military. If they can’t give it to 1 million people, how are they going to give it to 350 million people. When have you seen a government system work properly? and remember, nothing is free, taxes will have to go up to pay for it.
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Atheism